Voters in the Indian River School District, which includes Georgetown, will vote next month on a school tax referendum that seeks to raise $6.2 million in new funding for the construction of 38 classrooms and the hiring of new teachers.

The proposed property tax increase would increase the current school tax rate 6.5 percent from $2.623 per $100 of assessed value to $2.77 per $100.

School officials said the 14.7-cent rate increase would equate to an annual increase of $38.05 for the average property owner.

The Jan. 29 referendum will include two separate ballot questions, each requiring a “for” or “against” vote.

The first question will seek a 3.2-cent increase in the property tax rate to raise money for the annual debt payment on district’s $4.4-million share of a proposed $11 million construction project that would add 38 new classrooms at six schools, including eight classrooms at North Georgetown Elementary, and eight classrooms and a new kitchen the Georgetown Elementary/Georgetown Middle School complex.

The second question will seek an 11.5-cent rate increase to raise $1.81 million to fund the hiring of 20 new teacher positions, provide new classrooms with furniture and supplies, and fund increased utility and fuel expenses related to the building expansions.

Voting on Jan. 29 will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Georgetown Elementary School, East Millsboro Elementary School, Long Neck Elementary School, Lord Baltimore Elementary School and Selbyville Middle School.